Greenhouse ready for spring

Show is 81st annual for the area; 'It smells like spring.'

Show is 81st annual for the area; 'It smells like spring.'

March 29, 2006|GENE STOWE Tribune Correspondent

SOUTH BEND Spring came to the calendar on March 20. It came to the Ella Morris Muessel-Ellison Botanical Conservatories and Potawatomi Greenhouse on Saturday. While you're waiting for it to come to South Bend, you can get an early taste -- and smell and look -- at the lavish exhibit of some 5,000 potted plants in the facility at Potawatomi Park on Mishawaka Avenue. "The spring show is our 81st annual spring show at Potawatomi," says grower Bob Monroe. "We have a spring show every year. It's probably our biggest show all year. A lot of people come in. They bring kids in their Easter clothes and that kind of thing." The show includes more than 300 Easter lilies, about 1,000 potted tulips, at least 400 hyacinths in pink, purple and white, along with yellow and pale daffodils, cineraria, pansies and other springtime plants, although primrose is missing this year because seeds were back-ordered at suppliers. "It smells like spring in there," Monroe says, adding that blooming lemon and orange plants add to the fragrance. "Every year we try to include a different variety or two of something. We've added a couple of different kinds of things this year, trying to change some things around." The cineraria brings a softer mix of colors to the primary reds and yellows of the tulips. "The top gets like a mound of flowers on it -- pink, white, blue," he says. "It's a nice change from the tulips." Visitors pay $1 to enter the show at a turnstile. Folks with buggies, strollers or wheelchairs can call for entrance through a side door. The staff of four provides explanations and answers questions. "We try to make ourselves as available as we can," Monroe says. "Last year, I think it was between 1,500 and 2,000 for the show. Spring is probably one of our biggest times. March through June is really busy for us." Winter-weary folks enjoy the winding cement paths and pleasant spots provided with benches. Some even bring picnics to the spot. The center, which also holds a floral mum show in the fall and a winter show featuring poinsettias and tea with Santa, grows 20,000 to 30,000 plants for city parks, golf courses, the zoo, fire stations and Century Center. It hosts 20 to 30 weddings a year, plus baby showers, bridal showers, graduation parties, Girl Scout events, art classes and photography classes. Monroe does educational presentations for preschoolers to older adults. The facility at 2105 Mishawaka Ave. is open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day.